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Public Health in Focus

Public Health in Focus is a newsletter by Public Health Sudbury & Districts to inform our community on the public health issues of the day and is issued following our regular Board of Health meetings.

Words for Thought

November 2025

Loss of Canada’s measles elimination status

Dr. Mustafa Hirji

After smallpox was last seen in 1977, with formal eradication in 1980, the international public health community set its sights on 2 more diseases that had the potential for eradication: polio as the next priority and measles to follow after that. By 2015, polio had been eliminated from all countries except for Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2021, infections in those countries fell to a total of 5. However, that year, it spread from Pakistan to Malawi and then the following year to Mozambique. From there, it has resurged in Afghanistan and Pakistan with 99 infections in 2024, and global eradication of endemic polio remains out of reach.

For measles, the Americas had been leading the way. Canada eliminated measles in 1998 after introducing a routine second dose of measles vaccine in 1996. The United States (US) followed suit in 2000. By 2016, the entire Americas had eliminated measles—proving to be an example to the world. Unfortunately, in 2018, that Americas-wide status was lost due to a measles outbreak in Brazil and Venezuela. It was only last year, in 2024, that the Americas reclaimed elimination status. However, with Canada having lost elimination status, the Americas loses it too. And it is expected that the US will soon lose their elimination status as well.

Humankind’s history with eradicating infections has not been one way. Gains are not permanent and can be easily lost, as we have sadly seen. It is a reminder that the work of Public Health and infection prevention requires ongoing attention, dedication, and resourcing if it is to achieve durable outcomes.

M. Mustafa Hirji MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

Need to do

Reminder

Check, protect, and report: update your child’s vaccine records

Did you know that certain immunizations received from a health care provider (such as a family physician) must be reported to Public Health by the parent or guardian? As per the Immunization of Schools Pupils Act (ISPA), Public Health assesses immunization records for students under the age of 18 each year. Easily update your child’s vaccine records using one of the following methods:

Learn more about reporting immunizations or exemptions

Looking to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines? Continue to read on to find out where you can access them this fall.

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Need to know

Our work is grounded by the strategic priorities of impactful relationships, equal opportunities for health, excellence in public health practice, and healthy and resilient workforce. Learn more about how we collaborate to improve population health, support awareness and advocacy, and demonstrate our accountability and effectiveness in our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.

We establish relationships that lead to impactful partnerships, collaborations, and engagement.

IPAC Hub hosts weeklong series dedicated to infection prevention and control education

Public Health’s IPAC (infection prevention and control) Hub proudly hosted IPAC Week 2025—a dedicated series of events aimed at fostering education, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in the field of infection prevention and control. Throughout the week, staff held daily educational sessions for congregate living setting staff which featured a range of presentations and discussions from external partners and guest speakers. Topics included surveillance, auditing, vaccine hesitancy, and education and training. The week culminated in an in-person Knowledge Exchange Symposium where participants came together to exchange expertise, engage in meaningful discussions, and strengthen professional connections.

We were thrilled with the enthusiastic response from community partners, with over 45 attendees participating in each session. A big thank you to the congregate living staff whose contributions were instrumental to the week’s success and highlighted the value of collaboration.

We strive for health equity by championing equal opportunities for health.

Showing our commitment to living wages

A living wage ensures that everyone can meet their basic needs and maintain a decent and dignified standard of living. As part of our ongoing commitment to help reduce poverty in the face of an increasingly high cost of living, Public Health participated in the launch of Living Wage Week in Ontario. The media event was a collaboration between the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre, United Way Centraide North East Ontario, and Public Health, and shined a light on how income is tied to food security, safe housing, and well-being. Public Health Sudbury & Districts has proudly been certified as a Living Wage Employer since 2019 (the current living wage is $21.10). We encourage all employers to join us in paying their employees a living wage and setting the foundation to help everyone achieve their full health potential.

Learn more Ontario Living Wage Network

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We strive for ongoing excellence in local public health practice.

Reminder! Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall

Respiratory infections are the fourth leading cause of death in Canada. Vaccination remains the most simple and effective way to reduce respiratory infections and protect your family, friends, and the broader community. The fall vaccination campaign for COVID-19 and influenza launched for the public on October 27. Everyone aged six months and older who live, work, or study in Ontario is eligible to receive their vaccines.

Getting your vaccines

COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at many locations throughout the community. You can receive the vaccine through your health care provider, at a walk-in clinic, or at a participating pharmacy (Ministry of Health). Public Health is offering appointments to the following individuals who are unable to access vaccinations through other providers:

Learn more about our immunization clinics

An image of a young girl in orange shirt flexes her arm with a bandage on her shoulder and with text above reads: "Protect yourself. Get vaccinated!”

Indigenous Public Health hosts second annual Fall Harvest Feast

In October, Indigenous Public Health hosted the second annual Fall Harvest Feast which welcomed 19 community members. The evening began with traditional teachings shared by Nookomis Julie and Mishoomis Frank Ozawagosh and was followed by a presentation from the Mental Health and Substance Use team who showcased their work on anti-stigma and harm reduction. Participants engaged in meaningful table discussions that helped strengthen relationships and trust within the urban Indigenous community and enjoyed a traditional feast. The evening concluded with an optional training on administering naloxone.

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This item was last modified on December 4, 2025